According to several team sources, here’s the backdrop to Broncos coach Josh McDaniels deciding to bench Marshall for the regular-season finale against the Kansas City Chiefs.

After the Broncos suffered a difficult 30-27 loss last Sunday at Philadelphia, several Denver veteran players _ including Brian Dawkins, D.J. Williams, Daniel Graham, Champ Bailey and Kyle Orton _ met with McDaniels. Those players communicated the message that this was a team loaded with veterans who felt a sense of urgency regarding their chance to make the playoffs. Sensing the danger in letting this season slip away despite a 6-0 start, the veterans urged McDaniels to stress accountability to the team in this final week.

The veterans did not specifically mention Marshall. But four days later, on Friday, Marshall showed up late for treatment on a sore hamstring. Given the veterans’ message on accountability, McDaniels felt he had no choice but to de-activate Marshall.

When asked specifically whether Marshall had missed treatment when asked about it during his press conference Friday, McDaniels said, ”no.” Which was true, although McDaniels did not volunteer the information that Marshall was late.

I have been a bronco fan for 30 years and the team that has been in Denver this decade is a disgrace to fans. How can they start 6-0 and now they can't score or stop anyone. They should be embarrassed to get paid what they get paid but still do not do their job. I have spent 10's of thousands of dollars on broncos merchandise over my lifetime as a fan. I will not make a single purchase of any kind that will continue to support a team that continously strives for mediocrity on the field. Bronco nation is embarassed to call themselves fans. Disgusting to be a part of such a lame organization is how you should feel.

zx9ronin

It doesn't matter that they lost the last game to KC, they should have taken care of business when they had their chance. Losses to OAK, PHI, and a few other games they should have pulled out the win. However, obviously that didn't happen and they played great for a stretch but their true team showed up and were exposed. Lathargic offense and over-achieving defense that couldn't stop the run the 2nd half of the season. I'm just hopeful next season they can improve with adding some playmakers to both sides of the ball. I'm sure B. Marsh is gone and doubtful they will sign Champ, but they should let him go to a team that is a SB contender and not a team in building. Let the Champ go and win one somewhere so his career will be complete. By far he has been my favorite player and I will hate to see him in another jersey but it has to be done. So Mr. Bowlen please let him.

Robert Delaney

Josh McDaniels–8-8–better than the 6-10 I expected. Fire McDaniels. Rehire Shanahan before he goes to DC. Kubiak is looking for a job, and maybe Wade Phillips as well. Keep Brandon Marshall. The cost would be a wash keeping Marshall and buying out the adolescent control-freak's contract, and this would be a clear road back to the Super Bowl.

occracker

I called 9-7 best case, 7-9 worst…and they hit the middle…not a bad year, but not a good one…we need a few things…like another “D” lineman, and some tweaking on the “O”…lets face it…the “O” let us down all year, and that's squarely on Josh's shoulders…squarely…hopefully we can keep the “D” backfield and LB”S together…a new QB is a must…Kyle is good, but has no capacity to be really good, or even great…he can't move, and when you can't make plays, teams can gamble against you…that's what happened to the Broncs…anywho, let's trade Marshall to the Titans for their first and third picks…and LenDale…and move on…

Boarhed

I personally despise Bolen first of all!!! He is a lousy owner and the choices he made at the end of last season by firing a coach that brought two Super Bowl Championships to Denver and bringing in some schumck from the Patriots with no track record shows How serious he is about being a Winner. Don't even get me started on The way the egomaniac McDaniels came in and basically destroyed our team. Before the season even started he was making terrible choices. Letting Cutler go for Orton give me a friggin break, then the B Marsh debacle. The man performed despite the BS he was getting from the front office, and many of the sports writers for the Post. Then with our season in the balance McDaniels goes ahead and benches key players because why, because he was late for treatment?!?!? Oh my god stop the presses. Mcdaniels is a poor excuse for a coach the players showed how much they were willing to step up and be accountable for their play!! I think as long as McDaniels is the coach I will find it hard to continue to root for the Broncos.

howyoulikethat

Ooooh please do start…I would lvoe to hear your immense knowledge on the subject. Shany was sooo great lately, god I mis sbeig a 500 team…oh wait…we still are. Different name, same record. And Mcdaniels was backing up his veteran players when he benched Marshall, they stressed accountability, so he did what they requested.

Boarhed

As far as accomplishments go in the NFL McDaniels isn't even in the same Universe as the Master Mind. As far as backing up veteren players and the accountability they stressed, where was the accountability from guys like Champ? Our season is on the line and he is getting toasted by receivers from a horrible horrible team. That's really being accoutable, all those guys clamoring for accountability really did not show any themselves when it was all on the line. McDaniels is a lousy coach, and has no accountability himself. When you are hired to produce championships you don't bench two of your best offensive players for petty issues because you're a sissy!! You don't run a guy like Cutler out of Town for an Orton, McDaniels is a walking calamity.

Boarhed

As far as accomplishments go in the NFL McDaniels isn't even in the same Universe as the Master Mind. As far as backing up veteren players and the accountability they stressed, where was the accountability from guys like Champ? Our season is on the line and he is getting toasted by receivers from a horrible horrible team. That's really being accoutable, all those guys clamoring for accountability really did not show any themselves when it was all on the line. McDaniels is a lousy coach, and has no accountability himself. When you are hired to produce championships you don't bench two of your best offensive players for petty issues because you're a sissy!! You don't run a guy like Cutler out of Town for an Orton, McDaniels is a walking calamity.

Nicki Jhabvala is a Broncos beat writer for The Denver Post. She was previously the digital news editor for sports. Before arriving in Denver, she spent five years at Sports Illustrated working primarily as its online NBA editor. She also spent two years as a home page editor at the New York Times.